Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1887-08-18
A DARK REVELATION.
By A NEW CONTRIBUTOR.

Amid the dreary solitude, and pictur-
esque scenery of Broad Mountain, stands an
old dilapidated log cabin that is fast
moldering to dust, and will in short time
become thing of the past. It stands on tho
banks OF alow-murmuring stream of water
that glistens in sublime beauty as the rays
of morning sun full upon it; and it presents
magnificent view as it winds it course
through low and hollow part of the
mountain.
Broad Mountain received it's name on
account Of its great breadth, and its sides
slope slightly down until they form o small
and beautiful vale, that presents q lonely
but lovely view as far as the eye can reach,
and tho solitude of which is only disturbed
by the low and gentle murmurs of the
water, an occasional dirge of the frog
from its marshy habitation, and the melody
OF the whippoorwill from the gloomy shade
Of the pines.
There mnst have been q happy home
there at one time, but the silence that reigns
there now is like that of death.
The old log cabin is still inhabitable
during nice weather, but when the elements
are at work it is converted into wretched
and miserable abode, as many lonely
hunter has experienced. The old chimney
that had stood for years during sunshine
and rain is almost gone, and the few re-
naming parts stand like grim sentinels on
duty. The roof shows the steady work of
time by caving slowly inward, rendering it
rather dangerous for any occupant. No
windows ornament the house, and the logs
are rotten and decayed, and on the whole
it presents forlorn and dismal appear
ance.
short distance from the cabin -four
large pieces of timber, like pillars, rise in
the air and sway mournfully as the
wind comes against them; along the banks
of the stream the ground is covered with
old boards and logs which give indications
that large saw mill once occupied the
spot. Farther up is dam which, though
shallow now, gives appearance of holding
a large capacity of water; here stands o
large apple tree to this day, and, though
blossoming year after year, is not known
to ever have borne any fruit to nourish the
wanderer.
A dark, strange mystery seems to hang
over the tree and surrounding parts. The
place seems to be yelled by the slumbers
of death and the curtains of an unfathom-
able secret. The birds of the air and the
animals of the forest even seem to dread
it; and the deer as 1t nears the place, turns
ipstinctively aside with toss of its head,
and bounds away with incredible swift
. ness. Even the rabbit does not lingel
there, nor is the. silence broken by the
melody of birds, save only the sad and
mournful wailings Of the whippoorwill,
which seems to convey terrible revelation
in Its weird notes. And it is said that on
dark nights the stream of water seems tc
be agitated and colored like blood, and that
percing shrieks are heard in the log cabin,
and that soon after three figures in white
pass out of it, walk slowly up to
where the dam is and plunge deliber-
ately into the waters, after which oil ie
silent, except a low dirge from the frog and
wall of the whippoorwill.
One bright sunshiny day in septembe,
went to this wonderful place, and after o
long walk came to the grand little vale,
which was decked In it's autumnal robes.
Everything seemed wrapped in solitude,
not even the twittering of birds was heard,
and;as far as human sight could penetrate
1t reminded one of the silence Of the grave.
A kind of fear overlook me as l ap-
preached the cabin, but soon recovered
from it and walked to the door to go in.
Tie old door was partly open, and as put
out my hand to push it farther back I was
startled on hearing human voice and
the ominous command: aYoung man, you
better not go in there" Turning around,
1 beheld an old and venerable man lean
ing against tree, with one hand resting
on a gun and the other pointed OF me. An
old slouoh hat covered his gray hair, and Q
long beard lay gently on his breast.
looked at him for moment and then said
aAnd why should I not go in there
stranger'" Upon which he beckoned me
to come where he was. I went there and
sat upon log, and then said: Stranger,
came here to-day to see this strange
place, about which so many mysteries arr
afoat, and ] believe it is my good fortune
in meeting you. for lam sure you can throw
some light upon this mystery"
At this he looked at me and said: aYor
are right, for I am the only living beinf
that can reveal it, and if you will listen j
will relate it to you.
I expressed my willingness to hear it,
and with an unsteady voice he thus began
about forty years ago an Irish family
becoming dissatisfied with their native
country, emigrated to the United States ir
order to enjoy the liberties Of republican
government The family consisted of Mr.
Brennan and wife, and son aged 90 ani
daughter is. By the advice of FRIEND
Mr.. Brennan was induced to make the
keystone State his destination; and amid
the unbroken forest of Broad Mountain
he built his home. Soon pretty lof
cabin was built, which was an ornament tc
the wilderness, and which showed the ad.
vance Of humanity. An adequate piece Of
ground was next cleared, which resemblet
an oasis in desert, and after the mos
pressing work was done large saw-mil
was built, the ruins Of which can be seer
to this day.
Although living in wilderness and FIJI
to the nearest village, yet it was happy
family and no loneliness was felt. Mr
Brennan was b .rd worker and kind
and noble man, while his wife was loving
companion and helped to make life's bur.
den more easy. Their son and daughter
helped them onward, and were like fra.
grant flowers that twine around cot ant
! 80
impart sweetness to it.
But time came when this happy famil.
was to be shadowed by clouded canopy
Of gloom and darkness; when the silver
lining Of the clouds was hidden from
mortal sight by a threatening and frown'
ing sky Of wrath; when the stings o.
wrong and persecution were to shatter tht
lives of that family aud leave then, pitiabls
objects to all humanity.
This rural End lonely yale was now -,
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